Remember when Kyle Busch, ahead of the start of the 2024 season, said, “You’re always wondering, is the grass really greener on the other side?” Well, this comment was aimed at his previous team, Joe Gibbs Racing, while he prepared for his second year with Richard Childress Racing. However, fast forward 17 races into this season, and Kyle Busch seems to be backtracking on his promises and optimism to do well at his new team.

Rowdy certainly gave NASCAR fans and silly season predictors a lot to talk about when he said, “I would say anything is possible, always.” The driver said this to Bob Pockrass, fueling speculation about his future at Richard Childress Racing. However, reacting to this situation, Kevin Harvick has now come out to question Busch’s intention. Especially when he has one year left on his contract along with the no-talk clause.

Is Kyle Busch looking for an exit door from RCR?

Martin Truex Jr retiring with JGR certainly has hopes up for a lot of drivers who are looking for a seat next season. But, surprisingly, Kyle Busch has also joined those drivers and even hinted that he could be open to a switch and a potential reunion with his previous teams, JGR or HMS. For a driver of his caliber struggling to find his footing in the No. 8 car, it is natural for him to think about his future plans. But to play it out in the open certainly caught everyone off guard, including Harvick.

Sharing his take from Busch dropping a hint to potential suitors, Harvick while speaking on the Happy Hour podcast said, “I can see thinking, that, but I don’t know why you would say that unless you were not happy … I think he said at the end of that he has another year on his deal at RCR. Ahh Man, that’s just like a kick in the teeth to the guys and gals that are working on your car, right? To not be committed 100% in your answer to the team that you’re driving for unless you were looking for a way out, that’s how I took it.”

Kevin Harvick further stated that comments made by the former JGR driver further spread the fire and rumors about his stay at RCR. And all he is doing by pulling off this stunt is trying to signal any potential suitors about his stance to jump ship. “It’s been a tough stretch for the 8 car and everybody on that team with everything that they’ve had go wrong, and now you’ve got those comments, and sure you know he might have just been. To me, he’s just throwing it out there to see what the options are on the table.”

However, with Truex Jr officially announcing his retirement, Joe Gibbs Racing will have to fill the seat in the No. 19 car. Apart from Kyle Busch, there are plenty of good drivers available for JGR to replace their veteran driver.

Potential candidates to replace Martin Truex Jr at JGR

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1. Chase Briscoe is the name that has popped up multiple times ever since MTJ’s retirement announcement. With 125 Cup starting with now-defunct SHR, he certainly provides a good mix of talent and experience from his lengthy stay at SHR. The only roadblock that could hamper this move is Briscoe’s shift from Ford to a Toyota car. But again, if he gets a call from Joe Gibbs offering him a seat, he certainly won’t turn down that offer.
2. Josh Berry, like his teammates, is also on a hunt for a new ride ahead of the 2025 season. Berry, out of all the drivers, could be desperate to land a new job, given that this was only his rookie season with SHR. While his performances have not been the brightest, the prospect of having crew chief Rodney Childers in his corner is an advantage he has over other competitors. It will be interesting to see if JGR is willing to take a bet on Berry with their #19 team.
3. Noah Gragson certainly makes a case for himself to be a real contender to grab the JGR seat for the 2025 season. He certainly has punched above his weight in the No. 10 car this season, showcasing his talent and ability as a race car driver. Moreover, with the backing of Bass Pro Shops, he is certainly a lucrative prospect for any team looking to add value to their current driver lineup.
4. Last but not least, Kyle Busch. Yeah, it might seem odd, but with the silly season in full force, nothing can be certain. Moreover, Gragson is already linked with a move to RCR, but it isn’t known if they will buy a new charter or replace any existing drivers. Going by Rowdy’s recent revelation, the latter option looks to be in play, which certainly could see the driver return to his former team.

Not to forget, JGR could always turn towards the Xfinity and Truck Series, and this is where the likes of Austin Hill, Chandler Smith, and Corey Heim could turn out to be potential prospects.